Hours earlier, Britain, France, Germany and Spain told Maduro that he had eight days to organize elections or they would recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president.

The United States, Canada, and a number of Latin American nations have already recognized Guaido amid a mounting political and economic crisis that has led more than two million Venezuelans to flee in recent years.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, addressing the Security Council session, urged all nations to “stand with the forces of freedom” and back Guaido. He did not stay for Arreaza’s remarks.

Arreaza said that the military, whose leadership remains loyal to Maduro, will never overthrow him.

“The National Bolivarian Armed Forces defend this constitution with their lives,” he said.